US Visa Policy: The US State Department has made permanent its visa bond programme for B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries, with a refundable bond up to $20,000 (up from the pilot’s $5,000–$15,000 range), effective 3 August 2026—an approach tied to visa overstay data and likely to affect many African travellers. West Africa Security: ECOWAS leaders reaffirmed commitment to fight insecurity, with Nigeria’s Tinubu convening regional talks that included Guinea-Bissau’s Umaru Embalo, focusing on strategies against terrorism, armed conflict, and organized crime. Climate & Health Tech: New research in Nature finds climate change is “moving” malaria—slightly increasing risk overall in sub-Saharan children, but shifting hotspots: rising temperatures may raise risk in southern and East Africa while reducing it in today’s hottest areas. Soil & Food Systems: A new discussion of Amílcar Cabral’s agronomy links soil restoration to freedom and rural livelihoods, as broader reporting highlights that up to 80% of Africa’s cultivated land is degraded and hunger remains high despite global declines. Wildlife Research (Guinea-Bissau): In Cantanhez National Park, researchers filmed wild chimpanzees sharing naturally fermented, alcohol-containing fruit, with follow-up work suggesting they can absorb and process alcohol. Infrastructure (Guinea): Egypt’s Arab Contractors signed cooperation protocols to develop Guinea’s Kotoumba Dam, signaling continued North-to-West Africa engineering partnerships.